WSOP Circuit Calgary January 2026 Early Results and Ring Winners

mrinal-gujare
09 Jan 2026
Mrinal Gujare 09 Jan 2026
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  • January 2026 WSOP Circuit Calgary sees record entries and prize pools.
  • Shawn Johnson, Mehmet Siginc, and Claire Leclerc win their first WSOP rings.
  • Series showcases increasing interest in Canadian poker events.
WSOP Circuit Calgary January 2026
Image Credits: Poker.pro
WSOP Circuit Calgary 2026 January Series Delivers Early Rings and Growing Prize Pools
The WSOP Circuit Calgary January 2026 series opened with solid fields, awarding rings to Shawn Johnson, Mehmet Siginc, and Claire Leclerc.

The January 2026 edition of the WSOP Circuit Calgary has begun with measurable growth across entries and prize pools compared to the October 2025 stop. Three events have already crowned ring winners, while the Mini Main Event opened with a strong first flight.

Across the first two days, more than $450,000 in combined prizes and bounties have been generated, reflecting steady player participation in the Canadian WSOP Circuit schedule.

Event #1 Big 30 Stack Attracts 404 Entries

The series opener, Event #1 Big 30 Stack, recorded 404 entries and built a $134,017 prize pool. This exceeded the October 2025 field by more than 30 players and increased payouts by approximately $12,000.

Shawn Johnson captured the title and $28,013, earning his first WSOP Circuit ring. Despite limited prior live results, Johnson navigated a competitive final table that included Victor Ma, Anthony Casten, and Curtis Singleton.

Henry Friesen reached heads up play after surviving multiple short stack situations. His run ended in second place, while Johnson closed out the match with a sizable chip advantage.

NLH PLO Mix Ends with Siginc on Top

Event #2 NLH/PLO Mix continued the trend of increased participation, drawing 201 entries for a $103,865 prize pool. The final table lineup featured established Circuit regulars and multiple past champions.

Mehmet Siginc emerged as the winner, collecting $24,850 and his second WSOP Circuit ring. Nicholas Lee, already a four time ring winner, finished runner up after a heads up battle that included several momentum shifts. 

The final hand saw Siginc’s ace nine hold against Lee’s king ten, ending Lee’s pursuit of a fifth ring.

Black Chip Bounty Produces First Time Ring Winner

The Black Chip Bounty event awarded the lone ring on Day 2. A total of 290 entries generated $120,350 in prize money and an additional $29,000 in bounties.

Claire Leclerc claimed her first WSOP Circuit ring and a $25,986 payout. Leclerc previously came close to a ring in Calgary and entered this final table as one of the shorter stacks. 

Her heads up opponent, Graham Lupton, held a clear chip lead before a pivotal hand involving slow played aces shifted control.

Leclerc converted the advantage and ended the match soon after, adding a WSOP Circuit title to her resume.

Mini Main Event Day 1a Draws 319 Entries

Side action on Thursday included Day 1a of the $400 Mini Main Event, which attracted 319 entries and created a $100,007 prize pool. Play stopped at 15 remaining players after a double elimination occurred on the bubble.

Ankhbayar Bayar finished the flight as chip leader with 1,425,000, followed closely by Kyle Crego. With blinds paused late in Level 21, tournament staff will adjust the Day 2 restart point based on remaining opening flights.

The early numbers from Calgary suggest continued stability for WSOP Circuit events in Canada, with multiple ring winners crowned and larger fields than recent editions.

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